Frew's Blog

Behind the Scenes of Our Monster Mannequin Show

All of the employees and owner's of Frew's Bridal worked super hard preparing for our Halloween event. It takes months of planning before it all comes together. This year's theme was "Frew's Dollhouse...

Hues of Frews

No you don't have to wear white to your wedding. Where did this tradition even come from? Believe it or not, over 175 years ago red was the popular color for a wedding dress, but Queen Victoria bro...

It’s Party Time

Party time means: Florals. Lace. Embroidery. Gems. Beaded Fringe.
From fancy to casual. These are some of our favorite party dress styles, we have in stock at our store.
All of the jewelry featu...

Sneak Peek of our Bridal Photoshoot Collab

We joined forces with some amazing professionals to create some staged romance. We paired up with Kelly Susan Photography and Hair and Beauty by Laura. Kelly and Laura were so fun to work with. They a...

Bridal Trends

Have you always pictured yourself in a lace, pure white long dress? That is the traditional wedding dress. If you're traditional then that may be the dress for you!
We want encourage women to think...

You’re engaged! Congratulations! The search for your dream wedding dress is officially on. But with so many styles, fabrics, and designers, it’s hard to figure out where to even begin! And how do you know what to look for if you don’t know what any of these crazy terms you keep hearing mean? Have no fear, Frew’s is here! We’ve assembled a little bridal glossary to help you navigate the wedding dress shopping experience without sounding like a total newbie.

Silhouettes

A-Line: An A-Line wedding dress is fitted from the top to the hips, then gradually widens towards the hem, giving the illusion of a capital letter A shape. Dress featured: Mori Lee style 2105

Ballgown: The ballgown is the true princess dress. It usually features a fitted bodice, and a long flared skirt. Which tends to be a full, voluminous skirt. Dress featured: Bonny style 632

Mermaid: The mermaid style is very similar to a trumpet dress. It is a fitted dress down past the waist, typically to the knee, where it then flares out in a dramatic, almost fishtail looking manner. Dress featured: Casablanca style 2165

Column: Column dresses hug your body and show any and all curves. They are fitted with a straight cut skirt. This style is very similar to the sheath style, but a sheath dress is fitted down even further, most often to the knee, without the pouf of a mermaid skirt. Dress featured: Maggie Sottero style Phaedra

Fabrics

Chiffon: Chiffon is a very lightweight, sheer, and thin fabric. It is popular for spring and summer wedding dresses. Dress featured: Moonlight style J6433

Organza: Similar to chiffon, organza is a stiffer, thin, sheer fabric made of silk or synthetic yarn. Dress featured: Allure style 8862

Tulle: This fabric is a fine, netted, semi-sheer material that is often used for veils and dress embellishments. Dress featured: Allure style 9162

Illusion Netting: Illusion fabric is a type of very fine, light, tulle that almost looks like there is no fabric present at all. It is typically used for necklines, backs and various other parts of the dress that a bride wants to look open. Dress featured: La Femme style 23704

Necklines

Bateau or Boatneck: This neckline covers the chest, but dips at the back and neck. Dress featured: Pronovias style Aras

Off-the-Shoulder: As the name suggests, this neckline shows the collarbone and shoulders. The sleeves fall just below or around the shoulders. Dress featured: Allure style 9000

Sweetheart: This neckline gets its name from looking like the top of a heart, with a V shape in the middle. Dress featured: Alfred Angelo style 2208

Now you know some of the common terminology! We hope this helps you feel more confident about wedding dress shopping. Now it’s time to schedule an appointment with us at Frew’s Bridal, and have our talented consultants help you find your dream dress!

Behind every successful bridal business, are the magicians with sewing machines.

When a bride’s big day finally comes, and she puts her dream wedding dress on, she should feel like it was made just for her. Enter Tina Smith and Linda Garrett, two members of Frew’s expert seamstress team. These talented ladies can alter, shape, and customize any dress a bride wants to change. With a combined lifetime of experience, brides, mothers, bridesmaids, prom girls, and pageant girls alike trust this team to make their perfect dress fit.

How do they do it? “We pin the dresses to fit, and then we take them apart and put them back together to fit the girls,” Linda said. But they don’t just alter dresses, they can customize them too. “We add things, recreate them, we add sleeves, take sleeves away, and we’ve got several dresses where we re-did mom’s dress to the bride’s liking,” said Tina. It seems there is nothing these ladies can’t do!

Linda grew up sewing and learned the trade from her mother, who was also a seamstress. “I went to work in a bridal shop straight out of high school,” she said. She came to Frew’s Bridal after they contacted her in search of another talented seamstress. She has now been with Frew’s for four and a half years and says her favorite part of the job is the final moment when she gets to see the finished product on the bride and how excited they are with their dress.

Tina’s love for sewing began when she took a class in school and has been sewing ever since. She actually came to Frew’s to apply for a sales position, but found out a seamstress position was also open, and to her delight, was hired for that position instead. She has now been with Frew’s for a little over a year. Her favorite part of the job is also the brides’ faces when the dress is finished. “They don’t want to take it off and they’re ready to get married right then and there,” she said.

Outside of work, both ladies love to spend time with their families, especially their grandchildren. When Tina sews outside of work, she enjoys making costumes and being creative with how and what she sews.

What makes these ladies great at their job is their passion for sewing and their impeccable attention to detail. “We work great as a team, all of us seamstresses. We allow time to have a little fun and enjoy what we’re doing,” Tina said.

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With the stress of finals looming, the last thing you need is the pressure of finding the perfect dress for graduation day. Luckily, Frew’s is here to help! Not only is this a celebration for achievements past, but it also is the start of a new chapter, and we’ve made it easy to pick the perfect graduation dress. These are some of the top trends fit for the class of 2017.

Simple and Classy

Jasmine, style P156052K

Davinci, style 60051

Go for a clean and classy look with these Jasmine and Davinci styles. These graduation dresses are ready for anything from the ceremony to the after party. The Jasmine dress features a soft pink with a modest neckline and caters to your feminine side, while the Davinci channels a smart and sophisticated attitude.

We Mean Business

Jovanni, style 89989

Jovanni, Style 98440

Whether it’s fitted or fit and flare, these Jovanni short dresses show how serious you are about your future! The first style is a stunning lace netted dress with a unique front zip-up opening. Style 98440 has gorgeous floral beaded detail and an accentuated waistline to show off your figure.

Pattern and Print

Rachel Allen, Style 3005

Rachel Allen, Style 3003

Go out with a bang in these glamorous styles from Rachel Allen. The first is a fully beaded, beautifully detailed dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline. The second style is also intricately beaded, with a sexy open back. These dresses are sure to wow any crowd.

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The shabby chic wedding seems to be a popular theme this year with rustic venues, muted colors, and bohemian dress styles. We decided to join in on this trend with an intimate photo shoot at The Historic Miners Institute, to create a truly vintage vibe showcasing new wedding gowns from Sottero and Midgley and Allure.

Spring 2017 is the year of the free-spirited bride with whimsical styles in soft romantic hues. Many brides are turning away from the extravagant princess ball-gown and gravitating more towards chic simplicity. Trend-setting designers like Allure and Sottero and Midgley by Maggie Sottero are recognizing this.

In order of appearance: Style Alba 7SW440, 7SC400, 2620.

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This dress was made for dancin’. This wedding dress if proof that you can look fabulous and feel comfy at the same time! To demonstrate this, we decided to take to the dance studio with photographer, John Metcalfe with En Vue Arts and Frew’s own Marketing Manager/ballerina, Allex Sammuli to shoot this fun tea-length bridal gown from one of Frew’s favorite designers, Moonlight.

Style: Sometimes less really is more and with this charming little number from Bonny Bridal, less goes a long way. This elegant illusion neckline style elongates and accentuates the right curves with a cinched waist and flattering A-line fit. Pair this 50’s inspired dress with a pair of fun earrings and heels and you’re ready to walk the aisle in style.
Comfort: Tea-length wedding dresses are not only adorable, but they’re also oh-so-practical. A dress like this is ideal for that girl who plans on dancing her heart out on her wedding day without the worry of tripping over a long train. This particular style is also lightweight which makes it great for spring and summer weddings. The beauty of this dress is the versatility! Pair it with a fur shrug and you look just as good in the cooler fall and winter months.

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The day is here! You’re going dress shopping and you can’t wait to bring your besties and family members with you for this once in a lifetime experience. The more people to help you make this decision, the better…right?

It’s time to rethink the way we dress shop. This starts with selecting the right people to accompany you on the hunt for the perfect bridal gown. While many brides believe the only way to choose a wedding dress is to bring half of your wedding entourage with you to shop, we’re here to tell you that it can be much more difficult when you’ve got a plethora of opinions influencing you to make such a personal decision. Mom likes the mermaid style because it accentuates your curves. Your maid of honor is all about the princess ball gown look and while you’ve got your eye on a champagne dress with a plunging neckline, Grandma will die if she sees her beloved granddaughter walk down the aisle in anything but classic ivory with modest accents. So what’s a girl to do? You want to please everyone, but remember this day is all about YOU.

Time and time again, we see brides come through our doors excited and confident about the experience ahead of them and leave disheartened and frustrated because often times, there are too many people telling her what they do and don’t like. Ultimately the decision is yours and yours alone and finding the right dress is just like finding the “one.” When you know, you know…ya know?
So here are some tips to help you get started with the dress finding process that will eliminate some shopping anxiety!

Tip 1. Come up with a game-plan and do some research! While it’s important to have an open-mind, you should always spend some time beforehand browsing different styles and making note of specific fits that catch your eye. That includes writing down the style numbers of wedding dresses you like and paying close attention to the unique elements of each dress. You will start to notice common themes with designers and styles. Create a Pinterest Board! While this seems obvious to any bride-to-be in the 21st century, you’ll be surprised how much more confident you’ll feel going into your appointment knowing exactly what you’re looking for. It’s also helpful to come with a list of questions for your consultant so that you can leave your appointment feeling well-informed. Visit https://www.bestbridalprices.com/ to start browsing!

Tip 2. Know your end goal before you walk into your appointment. Most bridal boutiques will advise their customers to order or purchase their wedding dress at least 6-8 months in advance so that there’s plenty of time for appropriate alterations to be made and so on and so forth. If you know you that you need to walk out with a dress at the end of the appointment, make sure you communicate this to your bridal consultant AND to the people accompanying you. Which leads us to the next point.

Tip 3. Choose your shopping squad carefully! Most bridal boutiques allow an hour for appointments and when you bring everyone in your bridal party with you, there is going to be many conflicting opinions which in most cases will make it extremely difficult to narrow down your options. We recommend bringing in just a few of your closest peers and family especially if you’re on a mission to find your dream dress and take it home with you that day. To avoid any hurt feelings, invite friends and family who aren’t as close to Skype in instead. Ask them for links or styles before the appointment they would like you to consider so that there’s no FOMO.

And while homemade paddles may be a cute way to get your entourage more involved, this may cause some confusion and second thoughts when you find a dress that YOU like.
When you try on a dress you like, simply walk out and before you ask for opinions, say aloud, “I’m liking this style. What I love most is the ‘blank.’ What do we like and not like about this dress?” This opens it up for discussion, instead of expressing affirmative close-minded opinions like, “I absolutely hate it.”

Last Tip. Don’t get frustrated! Everyone’s bridal experience is different. Some find their dream dress the moment they try on the first option. For others, it takes a bit of time and patience. Some brides bawl tears of ecstatic joy when they find the perfect gown and some brides merely smile and say nonchalantly, “yes, I think this might be it.” When you don’t find “the one” right away, don’t panic and trust your consultant. It’s important to establish a relationship with your consultant from the get-go. Ask them questions, tell them about yourself and your personal style and they will do the rest!
And remember to book your appointment at Frew’s Bridal for the ultimate bridal experience! Our expert stylists are here to take the stress out of wedding dress shopping and bring you one step closer to finding the dress you’ve always dreamed of. So pop open a bottle of champagne, sista! We’ve got your back.*

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Meet beautiful bride-to-be, Elaina Cokinos from Washington D.C. Elaina and her fiancé, Brian Simpson are gearing up for an unforgettable Mountain wedding in Montana complete with lavish lavender and soft blush hues mixed with Gatsby-inspired decor.

Elaina is more than stunning. She’s smart, ambitious, and passionate about making a difference. Elaina is finishing up her last semester at Principia College in Elsah, Illinois. She is currently studying education and religion and hopes to pursue a career in organizational design & change leadership in DC. She and Brian met in college and the rest is history. We decided to sit down with Elaina and get the inside scoop on her glamorous wedding plans. It came as no surprise to hear she even planned to bring in a horse-drawn carriage for her ceremony. Here’s our interview with the future Mrs. Simpson.

Q: How did you and Brian meet?

A: Brian and I met on my first day of school my freshman year. He was the residence assistant or RA in my freshman housing. He says he remembers seeing me unpacking my car with my dad and stepmom. We made awkward eye contact a few times. A few months later we had our first interaction where he was coming out of the bathroom and I said “nice towel.” One time he saw me stressing out over an assignment in the library and interrupted my phone call to tell me to come outside and look at how pretty the moon was. (I didn’t know him but I thought it was cute.) A few weeks after that, we had our first real conversation and we started dating like a week later!

Q: How’s the wedding process going? Fun? Stressful? What advice would you give to other recently engaged brides?

A: You have to always set yourself up for success. If you know that planning a wedding during a stressful time (for me, my senior year in college), then delegate or hire help. This whole thing should be fun. Don’t ever let anything stress you out. There will always be little hiccups but don’t let that steal your joy during such a precious time. Other advice I have is that your wedding will always …. let me repeat…. always be bigger than you actually want it to be. Have a list of criteria someone has to meet to be in your wedding. For example, I decided I had to know their first and last names, know their children, and have seen them within the last year. It will be different for everyone. But people will always tell you who to invite or how to plan it. It’s your wedding! As selfish as that sounds, I had to remind myself of that many times. I want to please everyone, but, you can’t. This day is about celebrating the love of you and your fiance, and it should be an extension of the couple!

How did you go about looking for a wedding dress?

I started looking early for my dress. I would say always take 2 months to think about your dress before you buy it. I thought I had the one, but low and behold, after 2 months I saw THE ONE walking down the runway in a video from Bridal Fashion Week. I’m so glad I waited! Look online first, then go shopping in person.

Q: Where is your wedding going to be and what are you most excited for?

A: Our wedding is going to be in May in the mountains. The theme is kind of fairy tale, great gatsby-esque. That was not really intentional, that’s just what I love! I picked my favorite colors, lavender, gold and blush pink. I asked Brian if he was SURE he was okay with having so much pink. He said, “Well, it wouldn’t be my wedding if there wasn’t pink and sparkles everywhere!” The guy has to know his woman!

I am the most excited for my bridesmaids to feel amazing and taken care of as they are getting ready. I am also excited to see people I haven’t seen in awhile. It’s amazing how many people will travel for love!

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We have reached the peak of prom season and that means it’s time for more fun photo shoots! Here at Frew’s, we like to collaborate with other creatives in the area. This shoot was a bit more spur of the moment, but nothing short of fabulous with visionary photographer John Metcalfe and Instagram sensation, Andjela Simsic. It was definitely a night for the books. What better place to do a playful 50’s inspired shoot than in the heart of The Delmar Loop? Glowing neon lights and enticing vintage shop windows helped to create the perfect city backdrop. Our dress selection was based off Pinterest Pink Ladies inspired finds. Fun patterns and feminine sparkles from designers like Sherri Hill and Mac Duggal were an absolute must!

Trends to follow: Two-Piece Ball Gown

It’s time to rethink the two-piece prom dress. Often times, girls will shy away from this more risqué style. When you think two-piece, you’re probably envisioning a body-con dress that maybe shows a bit more skin than you’re used to. This is one of the most popular trends of the season, but we’re here to tell you there is such a thing as a ‘tasteful two-piece.’ Cue the adorable two-piece ball gown like this darling Sherri Hill. The charming combination of cherries and polka dots and florals and bold colors on the bodice gives this gown a subtle hint of vintage glam.

If you’re planning to wear a statement gown, you might as well go all out. A sparkly diamond bodice paired with a baby pink skirt of delicate layers of chiffon gives you that Old Hollywood vibe perfect for the girl looking to make a grand entrance. It’s hard not to turn heads when wearing a gown that glitters throughout the train with delicate yet dazzling beads. The only thing that’s missing is a Frenchie hot pink do.

Vintage, fabulous, and flattering, this long sleeved gown will stop people dead in their tracks. Much like the last gown from Mac Duggal, this Faviana has tiny sparkling beads that line the bodice, skirt, and train of the dress. To complete the glamorous look, opt for a dark bold lip and a pair of killer heels.

Frew’s Prom takes to the Jewel Box for a Valentine’s Day inspired photo shoot complete with romantic styles by the hottest designers including Sherri Hill, Faviana, and Mac Duggal. Fall head over heels in love with our spring prom faves.

Nestled in Forest Park lies The Jewel Box, a true gem of St. Louis. This striking space is known for its unique Art Deco architecture and gorgeous glass windows making this intriguing structure ideal for wedding ceremonies, receptions, and of course fashion photo-shoots. The vintage inspired Gatsby greenhouse is home to tropical plants in an array of vivid colors. The interior of the building transports its visitors to a lush and balmy rainforest in the heart of St. Louis’ urban landscape. We couldn’t think of a better place to kiss the winter blues goodbye and plan a spring prom shoot, showcasing some of our most colorful gowns with eye-catching hues and playful patterns.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, we selected only the most romantic and daring of styles, dabbling in a pretty palette of mixed reds, pinks, and purples. The rich dark green palm leaves and candy-colored bromeliads created a surprisingly dramatic backdrop, contrasting nicely with our warm reds and bold fuchsia dresses. It was a match made in photo shoot heaven. Bishoppe, a skilled risk-taker with a keen eye for aesthetic and detail, was able to bring our vision to life, capturing those picture perfect moments and highlighting the unique beauty of each dress.

Trends to look for this prom season

Two-pieces! The common misconception about two-pieces is that you need a certain body type to rock this more unconventional formal style. The right two-piece dress flatters and accentuates your assets. The two-piece is on-trend but also lets people know you’re different and like to live life on the edge.

Cutouts and thigh-high slits This particular style is hot with celebs on the red carpet and even hotter with us chicas who want to show off our new killer stilettos. We love this intricate floral embroidery on the halter top with some peek a boo cut-outs for that extra touch of stylish sass. The beaded black belt adds some glam glitz and the slit completes the overall look.

Contrasting patterns We can’t get enough of this striped strapless Mac Duggal prom dress. It’s flirty, fierce, and totally fabulous for that girl who wants to make the most dramatic of entrances. The floral print blends surprisingly well with the striped pattern. We recommend this fashion-forward style for the girl who’s always wanted to rock a ball gown, but doesn’t want to end up looking like a marshmallow. This Mac Duggal has some serious feminine flair to it, but doesn’t have that over-the-top princess vibe many girls try hard to avoid.

High-lows We don’t know how many times we’ve heard moms say, “now why didn’t we have this style back when I was in prom?” For the shoe-obsessed prom girl, the high-low is the answer to your fashion prayers. This strapless gown is short and sweet in the front and elegant and eye-catching in the back. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better…this dress also has pockets!! No more regrets about missing out on prom photo ops and Instagram stories with this little number. Simply store your cell phone in one of the hidden pockets of this darling dress and you’re good to go. No more social media FOMO.

Sophisticated Florals We know, we know, “florals for spring…groundbreaking.” We had to insert a quote from Miranda Priestly there from The Devil Wears Prada. A fashion faux-pas? We think not. It seems obvious to include a dress covered in roses for a Valentine’s day spring photo shoot, but we think there’s something especially unique about this particular gown. Let’s make a prom 2017 prediction shall we? Amidst a sea of pastels; baby pinks, powder blues, and buttercup yellows, all heads will turn as you grace the dance floor in a killer Queen of Hearts inspired ball-gown. We think this dress has a charming French flair to it that puts traditional springy floral gowns to shame. “Off with their heads because they can’t seem to stop staring.”

Form-fitting 90’s chic Sure the plunging neckline is all the rage right now, but let’s not overlook the stylish high-neckline on this body-con Faviana. This dress hugs you in all the right places and gives us some serious Kate Moss vibes. Pair it with a leopard overcoat and a black choker necklace, and you’re well on your way to channeling your inner 90’s diva. This fit is super popular right now with top celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Rihanna. Dance the night away in this fabulous red-hot style.